Tunable resonator

ABSTRACT

The gas turbine engine including, in serial flow communication, a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a fluid system fluidly connecting at least two components of the gas turbine engine, also includes a tunable resonator in fluid flow communication with the fluid system, the tunable resonator. The tunable resonator has a resonating volume that varies as a function of a volume of an inflatable member located inside the tunable resonator. The inflatable member having a means for varying the volume of the inflatable member, to thereby tune the resonating volume to a selected frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves within the fluid system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates generally to gas turbine engine fluid systems and, more particularly, to resonators used to attenuate or dump pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves in such fluid systems.

BACKGROUND

Gas turbine engines are operated over a wide range of operating conditions and are required to handle various flow conditions during operation. The fluid-structure-acoustic interactions that occur in fluid systems of such engines can exhibit resonances or pressure fluctuations resulting in undesirable consequences, such as noise generation, vibratory stresses, etc. The amplitude and frequency of the excitation or the undesirable noise vary with a number of parameters, including the operating and/or flow conditions, and configuration of the related components of the fluid systems.

Resonators have been used to mitigate the noise and associated stress on the affected components. A conventional single resonator design is tuned to a specific target frequency, and therefore it is effective but only over a narrow range of frequencies. However, the target frequency of the generate noise can sometimes change quite significantly with engine power or varied operating and/or flow conditions. Hence, in an effort to attenuate or dump pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves over a range of frequencies, several customized resonators can sometimes be required to cover those frequencies, thereby adding undesirable cost and weight to the engine.

SUMMARY

There is accordingly provided a tunable resonator for damping at least one selected frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves within a fluid system of a gas turbine engine, the tunable resonator comprising: an outer casing enclosing a chamber defining a total inner volume and having an inlet therein configured to provide fluid flow communication between the chamber and the fluid system, the outer casing defining an axial direction and a radial direction; and an inflatable member disposed within the outer casing adjacent at least one inner wall of the outer casing, the inflatable member having a skin defining a sub-chamber within the chamber, the skin configured to prevent fluid flow between the sub-chamber and the chamber, the skin being deformable between a deflated position and one or more inflated positions to change a volume of the sub-chamber; wherein a resonating volume of the tunable resonator corresponds to a difference between the total inner volume of the chamber and the volume of the sub-chamber.

There is also provided a gas turbine engine comprising, in serial flow communication, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine, the gas turbine engine further having a fluid system fluidly connecting at least two components of the gas turbine engine and including a tunable resonator in fluid flow communication with the fluid system, the tunable resonator defining an axial direction and a radial direction, the tunable resonator having a resonating volume that varies as a function of a volume of an inflatable member located inside the tunable resonator, the inflatable member having a means for varying the volume, the inflatable member thereby tuning the resonating volume to a selected frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves within the fluid system.

There is further provided a method for tuning a resonator in a fluid system of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: determining a frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves occurring in the fluid system; determining a required resonating volume of the resonator fluidly connected to the fluid system for damping the pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves; and changing a resonating volume of the resonator by deforming one or more walls of an inflatable member until the resonating volume corresponds to the required resonating volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gas turbine engine;

FIG. 2a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tunable resonator in accordance with a particular embodiment;

FIG. 2b is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tunable resonator in accordance with a particular embodiment;

FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2 c-2 c of FIGS. 2a and 2 b;

FIGS. 3a to 3d are schematic tridimensional views of an inflatable member of the tunable resonators of FIGS. 2a to 2c , the inflatable member is shown in different inflated positions;

FIG. 4a is a schematic front view of a portion of a skin of the inflatable member of FIG. 3a ; and

FIG. 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 4 b-4 b on FIG. 4 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a gas turbine engine 10 of a type preferably provided for use in flight, generally comprising in serial flow communication a fan 12 through which ambient air is propelled, a compressor section 14 for pressurizing the air, a combustor 16 in which the compressed air is mixed with fuel and ignited for generating an annular stream of hot combustion gases, and a turbine section 18 for extracting energy from the combustion gases. The gas turbine engine further comprises a case 20 defining an annular by-pass conduit 22 surrounding the compressor 14, the combustor 16, and the turbine 18. Although the engine 10 is shown as a turbofan, the disclosure of the present application may be applied to other types of engines, such as, but not limited to, turboprops and turboshafts.

The gas turbine engine 10 further has a fluid system 30. The fluid system 30 may be used to direct air between two components. Such fluid systems 30 may include, but are not limited to, air, oil, fuel and/or hydraulic systems of the engine. Additionally, the resonators as described herein may also be used to reduce structural damage due to pressure pulses from vane pumps or to reduce surges due to opening/closing of valves. In certain operating and/or flow conditions, the air or fuel lines or ducts of the fluid system 30 can exhibit high pressure fluctuations caused by, for example only, pumps, valves, vortices, etc., and which may be directly or indirectly responsible for the generation of unwanted noise. In some cases, resonance can occur at a given frequency. Such pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves causing noise generation can be of the fluid-acoustics interaction in the cavities or pipes of the system, which can sometimes lead to the cavities or pipes entering into resonances, or causing fluid-structure-acoustic interactions where the noise or acoustic excitation is sustained thereby causing high stress on the related components.

In the illustrated embodiment, a resonator 32 in fluid communication with the fluid system 30 is used to dampen one or more selected frequencies of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves occurring in the fluid system 30. The resonator 32 typically comprises a resonating volume that is pre-selected to dampen the pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves. The more generic term “vibrations” may also be used herein to refer to such pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves occurring in the fluid.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the fluid system 30 comprises a conduit 34 fluidly connecting at least two components of the gas turbine engine 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the two components are a scoop 36 and a case 38 of the turbine section 18 requiring cooling. The scoop 36 is used to bleed air from the annular by-pass conduit 22, downstream of the fan 12 relative to an annular flow 40 circulating in the by-pass conduit 22. The bled air may be used to cool the turbine case 38. The resonator 32 is affixed to the conduit 34, between the scoop 36 and the turbine case 38. The resonator 32 is hence fluidly connected to the conduit 34. It is however understood that the use of the disclosed fluid system 30 and the arrangement disclosed herein are only one of many possible arrangements and uses.

As aforementioned, the resonator 32 can only dampen one frequency, or a narrow range of frequencies, and may therefore become purposeless when the given frequency shifts. The reasons for such a shift are typically a change in the operating conditions of the gas turbine engine 10. In a particular embodiment, the operating conditions are the outside temperature—which can vary by approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit—a thrust level of the gas turbine engine 10, the rotational speed of a component of the engine (e.g. compressor 14 and turbine 18, and more particularly one or more of the Low Pressure (LP) shaft, the High Pressure (HP) shaft and/or the Intermediate Pressure (IP) shaft), a mass flow rate in the fluid system 30, and/or pressure ratios in the fluid system 30. Other factors may also influence the frequency, including altitude. Therefore, to cater to the different possible frequencies, it may become necessary to add more resonators to the fluid system 30, which adds weight to the engine 10.

One option to tune the resonator 32 to dampen pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves occurring at another frequency is to vary its resonating volume. By doing so, the frequency of the pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves that the resonator is adapted to dampen can be varied in function of the operating conditions of the gas turbine engine 10. The resonator 32 may be a Helmholtz resonator 100 and an in-line resonator 200, or any derivatives and/or combinations thereof, both of which are discussed in further details herein below.

Now referring to FIG. 2a , in the in-line resonator 100, the flow F′ circulating therein is parallel to a flow F circulating in the conduit 34 of the fluid system 30. The resonator 100 has an outer casing 102 of a length Lc longitudinally extending along an axis L extending parallel to the conduit 34. The outer casing 102 has an inlet 104 and an outlet 106. The inlet 104 and the outlet 106 are fluidly connected to the conduit 34 of the fluid system 30. The outer casing 102 encloses a chamber 108 that has an inner volume. In such a case, a resonating volume of the resonator 100 corresponds to the inner volume of the chamber 108.

Now referring to FIG. 2b , in the Helmholtz resonator 200, the flow F circulating in the conduit 34 is perpendicular to the flow F″ circulating in the resonator 200. The resonator 200 has an outer casing 202 of a length Lc′ longitudinally extending along an axis L′ extending perpendicularly to the conduit 34. The outer casing 202 has a combined inlet and outlet 204 configured to be fluidly connected to the conduit 34 of the fluid system 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the resonator outer casing 202 encloses a chamber 206 that has an inner volume. Similarly to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2a , a resonating volume of the resonator 200 corresponds to the volume of the chamber 206. The resonator 200 further comprises a neck 208 of a length Ln extending along the axis L′. The neck 208 has a given cross-sectional area. The neck 208 fluidly connects the chamber 206 to the fluid conduit 34.

Referring concurrently to FIGS. 2a and 2b , the frequency of the pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves that the resonator 100 or 200 is adapted to dampen is function of a plurality of geometric parameters, such as, but not limited to, the speed of sound, the resonating volume, the cross-sectional area of the neck 208, and the length Ln of the neck 208. Hence, as aforementioned, by modifying the resonating volume it is possible to tune the resonator 100/200 to dampen pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves occurring at another frequency without changing its geometric characteristics. In the illustrated embodiment, an inflatable member 50 is used for that purpose.

Referring also to FIG. 2c , the inflatable member 50 is inserted in the outer casing 102/202 of the resonator 100/200. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member 50 is adjacent inner walls 110/210 of the outer casing 102/202. The inflatable member 50 has a skin 52 defining a sub-chamber 54 therewithin. The skin 52 prevents fluid communication between the chamber 108/206 and the sub-chamber 54. The skin 52 of the inflatable member 50 is deformable between a deflated position and one or more inflated positions. The deflated position of the inflatable member 50 has a deflated volume. In a particular embodiment, the deflated volume is negligible such that the resonating volume corresponds to the total inner volume of the chamber 108/206. More details regarding the deformation of the inflatable member 50 are provided herein below.

By providing the inflatable member 50 inside the chamber 108/206 of the outer casing 102/202, the resonating volume may be varied. The resonating volume thereby corresponds to a difference between the volume of the chamber 108/206 and the volume of the sub-chamber 54.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2c , the inflatable member 50 may comprise two sub-members 50 a and 50 b each extending along half a perimeter of the outer casing 102/202 and enclosing a respective sub-chamber 54 a/b. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two sub-members 50 a/b takes the form of a half of a cylinder. The two sub-members 50 a/b are disposed to abut against one another along abutting walls 60 thereof such that the inflatable sub-members 50 a/b take the form of a cylinder. In a particular embodiment, the inflatable member 50 comprises one sub-member. The inflatable member 50 may comprise more than two sub-members. The sub-members 50 a/b may be axially and/or radially deformable to vary the volume of the sub-chamber 54 a/b and hence the resonating volume. Accordingly, the resonating volume varies inversely to the volume of the sub-chambers 54 a/b. This aspect is discussed below. The inflatable sub-member 50 a is described in further detail below. It is understood that the characteristics of the sub-member 50 a may be the same for the sub-member 50 b.

Referring now to FIG. 3a , the skin 52 of the inflatable sub-member 50 a is shaped to define half a cylinder having a radially-inner wall 62, a radially-outer wall 64, an annular proximal wall 66, and an annular distal wall 68. In a particular embodiment, the radially-outer wall 64 is affixed to the inner wall 110/210 of the outer casing 102/202. Although the inflatable member 50 a has been depicted as cylindrical, it is understood that other shapes may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a to 3d , the inflatable sub-member 50 a changes the volume of its sub-chamber 54 a by expansion/retraction along an axial direction A and/or a radial direction R. The inflatable member in a deflated position is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3a . In a particular embodiment, the two sub-members 50 a and 50 b can be simultaneously or independently inflatable relative to one another.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3b , in one embodiment, the inflatable sub-member 50 a changes the resonating volume by expansion/retraction along the axial direction A. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable sub-member 50 a longitudinally extends from the deflated position P0 to one inflated position P1 illustrated in dashed lines. When the inflatable sub-member 50 a is inserted in the chamber 108/206 of the resonator 100/200, its length Lm increases or decreases. For the in-line resonator 100 of FIG. 2a , the length Lm extends parallel to the flow F that circulates in the fluid conduit 34 of the fluid system 30. For the Helmholtz resonator 200, the length Lm extends perpendicularly to the flow F. In the illustrated embodiment, the sub-member 50 a can expand until both the proximal and distal annular walls 66 and 68 abut against the inner walls 110/210 of the outer casing 102/202.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3c , the inflatable sub-member 50 a changes the resonating volume by expansion/retraction along the radial direction R. The inflatable sub-member 50 a is deformable between the deflated position P0 and another inflated position P2 illustrated in dashed lines. The inflatable sub-member 50 a may cover only a portion of the length Lc of the outer casing 102/202.

In a particular embodiment, the inflatable sub-member 50 a can expand until the radially-outer wall 64 abuts against the inner walls 110/210 of the outer casing 102/202 and until an inner radius Ri of the radially-inner wall 62 becomes substantially negligible. In the case of the in-line resonator 100, the inflatable member 50 may therefore be configured as a valve adapted to block the flow in the fluid conduit 34 of the fluid system 30.

Now referring to FIG. 3d , the inflatable sub-member 50 a changes the resonating volume by expansion/retraction along both the radial R and axial A directions. The inflatable member 50 is therefore deformable between the deflated position P0 and an inflated position P3 also illustrated in dashed lines. Similarly to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3c , the sub-member 50 a may be configured to block the flow circulating in the fluid conduit 34 of the fluid system 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the sub-member 50 a can expand until both the proximal and distal annular walls 66 and 68 abut against the inner walls 110/210 of the outer casing 102/202.

In the illustrated embodiments, the resonating volume is greater when the inflatable member 50 is in the deflated position P0 than when the inflatable member 50 is in any of the depicted inflated positions P1, P2, and P3.

To be able to move from the deflated position to any of the inflated positions, the inflatable member 50 has a mean to vary the volume of its sub-chamber 54. One of the possible means is discussed below. In a particular embodiment, the mean would be similar to the morphing materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,856, the entire content of which is enclosed herein by reference. The inflatable member 50 may comprise ribs whose positions are changed with an actuator to change the shape and the volume of the sub-chamber 54.

In a particular embodiment, the mean would be similar to the layer of fibers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,210, the entire content of which is enclosed herein by reference. The skin 52 of the inflatable member 50 may comprise the layer of fibers embedded therein. The fibers comprise a first set of fibers extending in a first direction and a second set of fibers extending in a second direction. The first and second directions defining an angle that is variable with a change of volume of the sub-chamber 54.

In a particular embodiment, the mean would be similar to the morphing structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,991,769, the entire content of which is enclosed herein by reference. The inflatable member 50 may comprise the morphing structure adjacent the skin 52. The morphing structure includes a plurality of morphing elements. Each morphing element comprises four rigid members. Both ends of each of the rigid members are pivotally mounted to and end of another rigid members using hinges thereby forming a closed figure (e.g. square). The morphing structure further comprises two springs. Each spring is attached to two opposed hinges such that an angle between two consecutive rigid members is 90 degrees when no force is exerted on the morphing element. The angle variable with a change of volume of the inflatable member.

In another particular embodiment, the mean would be similar to the smart material disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,457,887, the entire content of which is enclosed herein by reference. The skin 52 of the inflatable member may be made of the smart material, or be affixed to the smart material. The smart material is capable of changing its shape through application of a stimulus. The stimulus may be light, heat, electric voltage/current, magnetic fields, pressure variation, and a combination thereof. The smart material may be piezoelectric composites, electro-active polymers, shape memory alloys, and carbon nanotube composites. In yet another particular embodiment, a portion of the skin 52 of the inflatable member 50 is made of Veriflex™ Veritex™, Verilyte™, and/or Flex-foil™. In a particular embodiment, the skin 52 is disposed adjacent a structure made of the above listed materials.

Now referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b , a portion of the skin 52 of the inflatable member 50 has a plurality of panels 80. Two successive panels 80 are pivotable relative to one another along an edge 82 joining the two panels 80 to define a gusset 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge 82 is deformable. In a particular embodiment, the edge 82 is a hinge joining the two successive panels 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the skin 52 comprises a plurality of gussets 84 to define an accordion section 86 of the inflatable member skin 52.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4b , the two successive panels 80 define an angle α that is variable in function of the volume of the sub-chamber 54 of the inflatable member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α varies from 0 degree, in the deflated position P0 (see FIG. 3), to 180 degrees in a fully inflated position. The direction of elongation D is therefore perpendicular to the edges 82. The walls 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 that require deformation to allow axial and/or radial expansion/retraction of the inflatable member 50 are provided with the above described gussets 84. In a particular embodiment, the walls are provided with the alternate means that have been described hereinabove.

In a particular embodiment, the skin 52 comprises a plurality of building blocks arranged in a lattice to give morphing properties to the skin 52 of the inflatable member 50. One of the building blocks may comprise the structure illustrated on FIGS. 4a and 4b . The skin 52 may be made of advanced composites, plastics, resins, polymers (e.g. neoprene-rubber), metals, and a combination thereof.

The frequency of the pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves that the resonator 100/200 is adapted to dampen may increases with a decrease in the resonating volume. In this case, the smaller the resonating volume, the greater is the frequency of the pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves that the resonator 100/200 is adapted to dampen. In other words, the greater the volume of the sub-chamber 54 of the inflatable member 50, the greater is the frequency of pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves that the resonator 100/200 is adapted to dampen.

For tuning the resonator 100/200, the frequency at which the fluid system 30 oscillates, i.e. due to the pressure fluctuations and/or acoustic waves, is determined. This may be done either experimentally or by numerical analysis using computational fluid dynamics, for example. A required resonating volume for a range of operation and/or flow conditions is then computed. The resonating volume is then changed by deforming one or more walls 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68 of the inflatable member 50 until the resonating volume corresponds to the required resonating volume.

For the Helmholtz resonator 200, the required resonating volume is function of the frequency (fh) of the fluid system 30, the speed of sound (v), the cross-sectional area (A) of the neck 208 fluidly connecting the resonator 200 to the fluid system 30, and the length (Ln) of the neck 208. In a particular embodiment, the required resonating frequency is determined by the equation, in its simpler form:

$f_{H} = {\frac{v}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{A}{V_{0}L_{e\; q}}}}$

For the in-line resonator 100, and in accordance with a particular embodiment, the required dimensions are determined by a complex function of the chamber length Lc, element lengths, and the expansion ratio of the resonator.

In a particular embodiment, changing the resonating volume comprises changing the angle α between the two sections 80 of at least one gusset 84 of the skin 52 of the inflatable member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflatable member 50 is inflated using compressed air from the compressor 14 of the engine.

In a particular embodiment, a controller (not shown) is used to monitor changes in the frequency. Therefore, the controller comprises a frequency determining volume. The controller may be the engine control system. The controller may further comprise an inflatable member controlling module for controlling the inflation/deflation of the inflatable member 50.

In a particular embodiment, a trigger to initiate deflation or inflation of the inflatable member 50 is a change in a flow parameter of the fluid system 30. The flow parameters may be the ambient temperature, the rotational speed of a component of the gas turbine engine 10, a thrust level of the engine 10, a mass flow rate in the fluid system, and/or a pressure ratio in the fluid system 30.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tunable resonator for damping at least one selected frequency of pressure fluctuations or acoustic waves within a fluid system of a gas turbine engine, the tunable resonator comprising: an outer casing enclosing a chamber defining a total inner volume, the outer casino having an inlet therein configured to provide fluid flow communication between the chamber and the fluid system, the outer casing defining an axial direction and a radial direction; and at least two inflatable sub-members disposed within the outer casing adjacent at least one inner wall of the outer casing, the at least two inflatable sub-members each respectively having a skin defining a respective sub-chamber within the chamber, each skin configured to prevent fluid flow between the respective sub-chamber and the chamber, each skin being deformable between a deflated position and one or more inflated positions to change a respective volume of the respective sub-chamber, the at least two inflatable sub-members each covering a respective portion of the at least one inner wall of the outer casing, each inflatable sub-member being configured to extend, in the one or more inflated positions, radially relative to the radial direction of the outer casing and axially relative to the axial direction of the outer casing, the at least two inflatable sub-members each being configured to change the respective volume of the respective sub-chamber by expansion or retraction in the radial direction and the axial direction; wherein the at least two inflatable sub-members are positioned with respect to each other to define a hollow cylinder within the outer casing, wherein a resonating volume is defined along a central axis of the hollow cylinder between the at least two inflatable sub-members, and wherein the resonating volume of the tunable resonator corresponds to a difference between the total inner volume of the chamber and a combined volume of the respective sub-chambers.
 2. The tunable resonator according to claim 1, wherein the tunable resonator is a Helmholtz resonator, a fluid passage of the fluid system being substantially perpendicular to a fluid passage of the tunable resonator.
 3. The tunable resonator according to claim 1, wherein the tunable resonator is an in-line resonator, a fluid passage of the fluid system being substantially parallel to a fluid passage of the tunable resonator.
 4. The tunable resonator according to claim 1, wherein a respective portion of each skin of the at least two inflatable sub-members has at least one gusset, the at least one gusset having two sections pivotable relative to one another along an edge joining the two sections, an angle between the two sections variable with a change of the respective volume of the respective sub-chamber.
 5. The tunable resonator according to claim 4, wherein each skin of the at least two inflatable sub-members has a plurality of gussets, the plurality of gussets defining an accordion section of the respective skin of the respective inflatable sub-member.
 6. The tunable resonator according to claim 1, wherein the at least two inflatable sub-members, in respective fully inflated positions, block a fluid flow from entering the tunable resonator.
 7. A gas turbine engine comprising, in serial flow communication, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine, the gas turbine engine further having a fluid system fluidly connecting at least two components of the gas turbine engine, the fluid system including the tunable resonator as defined in claim 1, the tunable resonator in fluid flow communication with a remainder of the fluid system. 